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Gateway School District board approves proposed $98.66 million general fund budget, raises millage and plans letter to Harrisburg
Summary
The board voted to approve a final proposed general fund budget of $98,658,188 for fiscal 2025'26, including a proposed real estate millage increase; trustees discussed state funding timing, commercial assessment appeals and agreed to draft an advocacy letter to state legislators.
The Gateway School District board approved the proposed final general fund budget for fiscal year 2025'26, received at the meeting as $98,658,188, and discussed a real estate millage-rate increase and state funding timing.
A staff presenter summarized the budget packet: "The final proposed general fund budget currently does include an increase in the district's real estate tax millage rate. Thus, the real estate millage rate will increase from 24.684 mills by 1.2034 mills to 25.2718 mills for the 2526 fiscal year." The board packet also notes the district plans to use $836,094 of the unassigned fund balance to balance the 2025'26 general fund.
Trustees discussed the mismatch between the district's June 30 budget deadline and the state budget timetable, which can delay state basic education funding. Board members said districts sometimes must borrow to bridge the funding gap when the state passes its budget late, and they asked for an advocacy letter to state legislators pressing for funding timelines that align with local budgeting.
Board members also flagged falling assessed value and ongoing commercial assessment appeals. The presenter said the district's assessed value declined by about $29,000,000 from the prior year and that ongoing commercial appeals have contributed to lost revenue; the presenter cited an estimated revenue loss of $674,000 tied to commercial appeals.
A roll call was requested and taken for the budget item. Named votes recorded in the meeting transcript include: Missus Burns, Missus Delaney, Missus Wright, Mister Recker and Doctor Singh voting in favor, and Missus White voting no. The board noted the final budget adoption hearing is scheduled for May 27, 2025, and the next finance committee meeting is May 15, 2025.
Trustees asked staff to draft a letter for the board to review and sign that would ask state officials to adjust funding timing and to consider the district's concerns about charter and special-education funding and the assessment process.
The board approved the motion to adopt the proposed final general fund budget; the meeting moved on to personnel and other administrative items.
